Structural Transformation among African Economies: Patterns and performance

During most of the first five decades after independence economic stagnation has plagued African economies until the turn of the millennium. The failure of early industrialization strategies, the decade-long neglect of the agricultural sector, and the rapid rate of urbanization coupled with rapid population growth are the root cause of negative economic performance. The economic recovery of the last 15 years provides strong hope that African countries are starting to turn the page. Ousmane Badiane, John Ulimwengu, and Thaddee Badibanga argue that the focus should now be on sustaining and accelerating the recovery process, enacting policies to raise productivity in the agricultural and service sectors, and revitalize the modern industrial sector.